Princess vs Celebrity

[Host Jazzbeau]

Having never sailed on Princess there are a few things that stop me from booking.

 

Coffee other than pay for is "syrup" based:confused: who does that?

 

The worst coffee I have had on any ship was on Celebrity. If you want good free coffee, NCL shines with a grinder atop every dispenser. Princess is somewhere in the middle.

[Christine Frances]

The worst coffee I have had on any ship was on Celebrity. If you want good free coffee, NCL shines with a grinder atop every dispenser. Princess is somewhere in the middle.

 

Celebrity has that as well. A couple of places in the buffet

[BosoxI]

Is the X solarium free? Or does it cost money?

 

 

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I thought there was a charge for Solariums on all the lines that have them. Maybe not. Aqua has some some free spa benefits, but we never use them.

 

I do believe that X is using syrup in their machines. Princess doesn't have sushi every night, but if they did, i wouldn't eat it every night. The Indian food on X is much better than the Princess fare, but several nights ago on the Island Princess I had Mongolian barbeque and it was quite good. In all my years of cruising on various cruise lines, I have never seen that offered. I asked for bar soap and received it, but Princess apparently doesn't offer straight shampoo. Unbelievable but true. In a previous post I commented that the Elite breakfast and cocktail hour on X were hard to beat and that's true. But I neglected to note that the Elite laundry and dry cleaning on Princess are also hard to beat and they are unlimited. On sixteen days of cruising this month, we used that benefit three or four times and saved a bundle.

[Christine Frances]

I thought there was a charge for Solariums on all the lines that have them. Maybe not. Aqua has some some free spa benefits, but we never use them.

 

I do believe that X is using syrup in their machines. Princess doesn't have sushi every night, but if they did, i wouldn't eat it every night. The Indian food on X is much better than the Princess fare, but several nights ago on the Island Princess I had Mongolian barbeque and it was quite good. In all my years of cruising on various cruise lines, I have never seen that offered. I asked for bar soap and received it, but Princess apparently doesn't offer straight shampoo. Unbelievable but true. In a previous post I commented that the Elite breakfast and cocktail hour on X were hard to beat and that's true. But I neglected to note that the Elite laundry and dry cleaning on Princess are also hard to beat and they are unlimited. On sixteen days of cruising this month, we used that benefit three or four times and saved a bundle.

 

Celebrity does not use syrup in their machines. The main ones are drip but they have a few that have the grind/brew set up. You can see the beans above the coffee maker. Princess is the only line I know of that uses syrup for coffee.

[Iamcruzin]

I agree 100% word for word about the food and select or anytime dining. I do like the rooms better on Celebrity.

 

 

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[Christine Frances]

Wow, that's an impressive list from someone who's never been on a Princess ship.

 

I could also add that every cabin category can order a hot room service breakfast ie omelette's bacon, toast etc. Also can order off the MDR menu for room service at night.

[BosoxI]

Celebrity does not use syrup in their machines. The main ones are drip but they have a few that have the grind/brew set up. You can see the beans above the coffee maker. Princess is the only line I know of that uses syrup for coffee.

 

If they're not using syrup, why is their coffee so bitter?:confused: Once you have a coffee card, Princess provides brewed coffee at no extra charge. I don't drink lots of coffee but when I do, it's got to be strong and not bitter. Neither line satisfies that requirement in their buffet areas.

Edited December 31, 2014 by BosoxI

[Christine Frances]

If they're not using syrup, why is their coffee so bitter?:confused: Once you have a coffee card, Princess provides brewed coffee at no extra charge. I don't drink lots of coffee but when I do, it's got to be strong and not bitter. Neither line satisfies that requirement in their buffet areas.

 

I agree that the coffee that has been in the urns for a while is not great. But as an early morning riser, the coffee set up in the buffet with take away cups has really good coffee. Cafe el Bachio has good coffee but it is Espresso based so for a reg cup of coffee you have to order Americano. I have been always pleased with the coffee that comes with room service breakfast though. Very, very good.

[Host Jazzbeau]

I agree that the coffee that has been in the urns for a while is not great. But as an early morning riser, the coffee set up in the buffet with take away cups has really good coffee. Cafe el Bachio has good coffee but it is Espresso based so for a reg cup of coffee you have to order Americano. I have been always pleased with the coffee that comes with room service breakfast though. Very, very good.

 

"Americano" (at least in Europe) is just watered down Espresso. If you don't like Starbucks, it's hard to find good coffee anywhere outside the US. But somehow I manage to get through a cruise anyway :D:D:D

[BosoxI]

"Americano" (at least in Europe) is just watered down Espresso. If you don't like Starbucks, it's hard to find good coffee anywhere outside the US. But somehow I manage to get through a cruise anyway :D:D:D

 

Am I misunderstanding you? I think it's hard to find good coffee IN the US where most is hot, colored water.

[Iamcruzin]

Having never sailed on Princess there are a few things that stop me from booking.

 

Smoking - I like the Casino but am so used to X's policy I think that would be a big turn off. I have been on ships when they have a "non smoking" night but it still reeks of stale smoke. Agree

 

I don't like the toiletries. Don't like the idea of dispensers in the showers. Shampoo/Conditioner combo - :confused: Really cheapo. Can't even think of any hotel that does that. Agree

 

Don't like the small main theatre's and short shows (3 times a night) Agree

 

No aft al fresco dining/bar areas from what I can see - Sunset/Ocean View eg Check the deck plans. Outriggers is the AFT bar.

 

Adult solarium areas are fee based ie the Sanctuary

 

Coffee other than pay for is "syrup" based:confused: who does that? Princess does. The coffee sucks at the buffet

 

Can you get Sushi every night? NO

 

Is there a grill in the evening where you can get steak, fish, lamb & chicken in the evening at the buffet? Had the Grilled food in the buffet on Celebrity. Steak was an over cooked baseball glove, The fish and Chicken were as dry as dust. Make sure you are with someone who knows the Heimlich maneuver if you attempt to eat these.

 

They don't have sommelier's in the MDR

 

They don't have Butler's in their suites

 

 

I am sure Princess fans could come up with their own list:)

No ocean view staterooms, no center stair case, on the new Princess ships.

[RDC1]

No ocean view staterooms, no center stair case, on the new Princess ships.

 

Last time I was on an S-Class ship they only had two staircases as well. One near the front, one between mid and aft. The new Princess ships also have two staircases going all of the way up. The Princess front stair is a little further towards mid then the S class front stair. The Princess rear stair is a bit further back then the S class back stair.

 

In either case both lines newest ships only have two stairways. The newest Princess ships have elevators in 3 locations. The S class has them in two.

Edited December 31, 2014 by RDC1

[baldercash]

Thanks for your research but why would I trust the opinions of people I don't know when I have the actual experience of 41 cruises on the two lines in question?

Thousands of cruisers write reviews of their experiences on the ships and the common consensus not just on Cruise Critic but industry wide is Celebrity is better but we should value your opinion after 40 cruises? Take the time to read the CC ratings. http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?src=nav

 

Princess' food has always been better; in fact when we first tried Celebrity for two cruises in the early 1990s, the reason we dropped them was poor food and dining rooms set up like army mess halls. They've made great strides since then but their food still tends to be bland.

 

Your initial post that started this thread sounded like the superiority of Princess cuisine over X was a revelation revealed to you on your recent cruise but you now state you have not enjoyed it for the past 24 years?

Appears you just want to troll and receive confirmation on your views in spite of the Cruise Critic awards and other similar industry awards giving accolades to X for dinning.

 

I am 6'5" tall and can touch an 8' high ceiling standing flatfooted. Eight feet is the typical height of ceilings in American homes. I doubt I could touch the ceiling in a Princess restaurant; I wish I had tried. Yes, they are darkish, but when I enter one, I feel like I'm in a restaurant, not a gymnasium.

 

Most large venues attempt to achieve a balance between square footage and ceiling height as basic of good architecture. So as rooms get larger the ceiling is raised to give a feeling of spaciousness and esthetic balance. Simply not being able to not touch the ceiling in a room does not mean it is scaled correctly.

This is the case with some of the dinning rooms on Caribbean Princess and what makes it even worst is one has to step up to an elevated platform that brings you even closer to the ceiling when in the seating areas. They also attempt is to try and make the room seem like many smaller dinning areas by adding railings.

 

The waiters on Princess don't appear rushed, while those on X always seem frantic. I've seen too many near collisions on X, simply not a good dining experience for me. My wife's love of Aqua is largely driven by her complete dislike of the atmosphere in the X MDRs, an opinion that has cost us quite a bit over the years. :(

 

This has not been my experience or many others but it is sad you do not think Aqua class is a good value. It is something we enjoy very much while cruising X we find all the amenities offered not just Blu elevate our cruse experience.

I assume you have never noticed the problem of the dinning rooms on Carribean Princess not being able to handle the capacity of passengers on board?

We have booked too late on Princess three times and been denied fixed time dinning being relegated to the anytime dinning as others have noted a poor dinning experience.

 

On our last cruise we had fixed dinning they converted our table of six to eight to accommodate demand. We were on a back to back with same table assigned on the second night the table guests agreed to disband as it was just too cramped and the service was so poor. We choose anytime dinning.

But as stated personal experiences are just one persons opinion.

 

The same thing occurs with the inadequate capacity theater necessitating 30 minute shows and lining up early to get a seat.

 

I know threads such as this eventually bring out the apologists. It wasn't my intent to persuade or dissuade anyone; I wanted to give even handed opinions as to the merits or weaknesses of the two lines. I wouldn't expect anyone to book or cancel a cruise based on what I've written (although they'd be wise to do so:D:D:D)

 

Haven't read of anyone apologizing for X but you seem to be dismissive of those who don't agree with your view and ignore the facts presented that Princess does not rate as high as X by the vast majority of cruisers and the cruise industry. Yes I know you rebutted this with your opinion counts more after 40 cruises and all.

I would be surprised if many chose your advice over their own intuition.

 

Incidentally, our next three booked cruises will be on Celebrity, but I've got my eye set on several Princess cruises to fill in the gaps, now that I've been reminded of how much we've enjoyed them

 

Why did you start the thread when you have stated you have enjoyed Princess more then X since 1990? When did you forget this, your statements do not track cohesively?

 

Of course this is all subjective but there are some who believe there was a 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll as well.

 

Cheers

[BosoxI]

Thousands of cruisers write reviews of their experiences on the ships and the common consensus not just on Cruise Critic but industry wide is Celebrity is better but we should value your opinion after 40 cruises? Take the time to read the CC ratings. http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?src=nav

 

 

 

Your initial post that started this thread sounded like the superiority of Princess cuisine over X was a revelation revealed to you on your recent cruise but you now state you have not enjoyed it for the past 24 years?

Appears you just want to troll and receive confirmation on your views in spite of the Cruise Critic awards and other similar industry awards giving accolades to X for dinning.

 

 

 

Most large venues attempt to achieve a balance between square footage and ceiling height as basic of good architecture. So as rooms get larger the ceiling is raised to give a feeling of spaciousness and esthetic balance. Simply not being able to not touch the ceiling in a room does not mean it is scaled correctly.

This is the case with some of the dinning rooms on Caribbean Princess and what makes it even worst is one has to step up to an elevated platform that brings you even closer to the ceiling when in the seating areas. They also attempt is to try and make the room seem like many smaller dinning areas by adding railings.

 

 

 

This has not been my experience or many others but it is sad you do not think Aqua class is a good value. It is something we enjoy very much while cruising X we find all the amenities offered not just Blu elevate our cruse experience.

I assume you have never noticed the problem of the dinning rooms on Carribean Princess not being able to handle the capacity of passengers on board?

We have booked too late on Princess three times and been denied fixed time dinning being relegated to the anytime dinning as others have noted a poor dinning experience.

 

On our last cruise we had fixed dinning they converted our table of six to eight to accommodate demand. We were on a back to back with same table assigned on the second night the table guests agreed to disband as it was just too cramped and the service was so poor. We choose anytime dinning.

But as stated personal experiences are just one persons opinion.

 

The same thing occurs with the inadequate capacity theater necessitating 30 minute shows and lining up early to get a seat.

 

 

 

Haven't read of anyone apologizing for X but you seem to be dismissive of those who don't agree with your view and ignore the facts presented that Princess does not rate as high as X by the vast majority of cruisers and the cruise industry. Yes I know you rebutted this with your opinion counts more after 40 cruises and all.

I would be surprised if many chose your advice over their own intuition.

 

 

 

Why did you start the thread when you have stated you have enjoyed Princess more then X since 1990? When did you forget this, your statements do not track cohesively?

 

Of course this is all subjective but there are some who believe there was a 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll as well.

 

Cheers

 

All I can say is Mister, you are an apologist for Celebrity and you have serious problem understanding plain English. By the way, it's DINING room.

[baldercash]

BosoxI a great rebuttal find a typo actually there are a few then dismiss the facts stated in the post.

You are a troll.

 

Cheers

Edited December 31, 2014 by baldercash

[Gracie115]

Coffee other than pay for is "syrup" based:confused: who does that?

 

:)

 

Not commenting on anything but this.......coffee on X is lousy too....don't care whether it's syrup based or not........

 

We're trying Princess this coming fall for the first time......expect it will be just fine...especially on their newest ship the Regal Princess.........and fully expect their coffee will be just as lousy as what we've gotten on Connie, Solstice, Equinox, Silhouette, Eclipse, Summit.....etc etc.....

[ECCruise]

Bosox1, I found your posting(s) very reasoned and also a fair analysis. Nothing even remotely trollish....except you have sliced into the "my cruise line is better than your cruise line" that the cheerleaders here so roundly tout.

 

Our experience is similar to yours (around 200 days on Celebrity and 150 on Princess) and there are things about each line that we like--and dislike--and that is why we will continue to sail both (although we are putting more and more other lines in the mix going forward).

 

We find, in general, the food better on Celebrity. Service is variable but probably a small notch better on Celebrity. Entertainment overall better on Princess with more venues/choices. Itineraries are generally a bit more varied on Princess. Princess does have more announcements on board but will never approach the non-stop revenue huckstering on Celebrity (just not announced but everywhere you look).

 

And yes, if you've never been on a line's ship, you are free to comment but your opinion, like the food, is heavily salted.

[chamima]

Not commenting on anything but this.......coffee on X is lousy too....don't care whether it's syrup based or not........

 

We're trying Princess this coming fall for the first time......expect it will be just fine...especially on their newest ship the Regal Princess.........and fully expect their coffee will be just as lousy as what we've gotten on Connie, Solstice, Equinox, Silhouette, Eclipse, Summit.....etc etc.....

 

I don't know what they've done on the Royal and Regal but the coffee is actually GOOD on those ships!

 

(For what it's worth, while I didn't exactly like the coffee on the older Princess ships, it doesn't even come close to how awful it is on Celebrity!)

[ECCruise]

Not commenting on anything but this.......coffee on X is lousy too....don't care whether it's syrup based or not........

 

We're trying Princess this coming fall for the first time......expect it will be just fine...especially on their newest ship the Regal Princess.........and fully expect their coffee will be just as lousy as what we've gotten on Connie, Solstice, Equinox, Silhouette, Eclipse, Summit.....etc etc.....

 

Unfortunately, you are right. Never could figure out how the beans that are in the coffee dispensers could manage to end up tasting just like the syrup on Princess.

[BosoxI]

Celebrity does not use syrup in their machines. The main ones are drip but they have a few that have the grind/brew set up. You can see the beans above the coffee maker. Princess is the only line I know of that uses syrup for coffee.

 

 

I confess that in 18 cruises with Celebrity, I have never noticed the beans. I will make a point of seeking them out on our February cruise. Thanks for the info, you've given me something to do.:p

Edited December 31, 2014 by BosoxI

[BosoxI]

Bosox1, I found your posting(s) very reasoned and also a fair analysis. Nothing even remotely trollish....except you have sliced into the "my cruise line is better than your cruise line" that the cheerleaders here so roundly tout.

 

Our experience is similar to yours (around 200 days on Celebrity and 150 on Princess) and there are things about each line that we like--and dislike--and that is why we will continue to sail both (although we are putting more and more other lines in the mix going forward).

 

We find, in general, the food better on Celebrity. Service is variable but probably a small notch better on Celebrity. Entertainment overall better on Princess with more venues/choices. Itineraries are generally a bit more varied on Princess. Princess does have more announcements on board but will never approach the non-stop revenue huckstering on Celebrity (just not announced but everywhere you look).

 

And yes, if you've never been on a line's ship, you are free to comment but your opinion, like the food, is heavily salted.

 

Thanks, I appreciate that very much. And a double thanks for actually reading and comprehending what I wrote.;) In fact except for my preference for Princess food and dining venues, I complemented Celebrity far more.

[Iamcruzin]

I don't know what they've done on the Royal and Regal but the coffee is actually GOOD on those ships!

 

(For what it's worth, while I didn't exactly like the coffee on the older Princess ships, it doesn't even come close to how awful it is on Celebrity!)

 

I guess coffee is as subjective as food. I found the coffee on the Summit in the buffet to be much better than on Princess. It wasn't great but it was it was made using actual coffee and not syrup. It didn't have that chemical instant coffee taste like the coffee in Horizon Court on the Grand class Princess ships.

[miched]

Unfortunately, you are right. Never could figure out how the beans that are in the coffee dispensers could manage to end up tasting just like the syrup on Princess.

 

I seen a attendant servicing a coffee dispenser and he was pouring beans into the hopper for regular coffee. I wanted to see what brand of beans that were being used and seen that they were decaf. I pointed it out to the attendant anD he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled. It could cause a problem if it was reversed for those that wanted decaf and got regular.

 

At the time they weren't Lavazza.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[vulcan1971]

The worst coffee I have had on any ship was on Celebrity. If you want good free coffee, NCL shines with a grinder atop every dispenser. Princess is somewhere in the middle.

I would agree with this statement. Even though I have not cruised on Princess, I have cruised on RCI, HAL, and NCL. I've never found the coffee to be consistent across ships / cruise lines and have stopped drinking coffee prepared from the equivalent Oceanview Cafe space on which ever ship / cruise line I am on.

"Americano" (at least in Europe) is just watered down Espresso. If you don't like Starbucks, it's hard to find good coffee anywhere outside the US. But somehow I manage to get through a cruise anyway :D:D:D

I do frequent Starbucks and mostly order their regular or decaf drip brewed coffee. However, when a drip brewed decaf option is not available, the folks at Starbucks immediately offer me the choice of an Americano for no additional cost. The Americano at Starbucks IS just watered down espresso. I don't care for it at all and won't take the offer as a coffee replacemnt (nor would I pay for this).

 

Because the coffee has been so terrible on the various cruise ships, I actually make a point to pack coffee (Starbucks VIA packets) for myself and tea sachets (Mighty Leaf Earl Grey) for my partner. These little things make a BIG difference when you are traveling for 3-4 weeks at a time.

[vulcan1971]

Thanks, I appreciate that very much. And a double thanks for actually reading and comprehending what I wrote.;) In fact except for my preference for Princess food and dining venues, I complemented Celebrity far more.

 

BosoxI -

 

I enjoyed meeting you while cruising on the Constellation in November 2014. Although I have no actual Princess cruising experience of my own to compare/contrast your comments, what you have said does match with what I have read here on Cruise Critic forum threads and cruise reviews. I am considering Princess for certain types of itineraries (e.g., Alaska) so I appreciate having a well thought out and expressed views on the areas you have commented.